The George Washington UniversityStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for The George Washington University. Free for students.

Private Non-Profit Liberal Arts College in Washington, DC. Operating on a semester system.

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Total Enrollment

Liberal Arts College

Institution Type

60

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Summer 2026 Full-term Session I

The semester, explained for The George Washington University

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Summer 2026 Full-term Session I
Campus terms
57
Local details
32

Academic calendar

Summer 2026 Full-term Session I runs May 18, 2026 – Aug 15, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

17 entries
  1. Summer Semester 2026 Session I (6-Week)
  2. Summer Semester 2026 Session I (8-Week)
  3. Summer Semester 2026 Session I (10-Week)
  4. Summer 2026 Full-term Session ISummer Full-term Session 2026Summer Semester 2026 Session I Full-TermRelevant now
  5. Summer Semester 2026 Session II (6-Week)Summer Session II 2026 (6-Week)
  6. Fall Semester 2026
  7. Spring Semester 2027
  8. Summer Sessions 2027 Session I (6-Week)
  9. Summer Sessions 2027 Session I (8-Week)
  10. Summer Sessions 2027 Session I (10-Week)
  11. Summer 2027 Full-term Session ISummer Sessions 2027 Session I Full-Term
  12. Summer Session II 2027 (6-Week)Summer Sessions 2027 Session II (6-Week)

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

57 terms

B

Buff & Blue
The official school colors, often used to refer to school spirit or athletic teams.
Buff & Blue
The Buff & Blue Market, a campus convenience store and deli located in the University Student Center.
Buff and Blue
The official school colors, used to describe school spirit or athletic gear.

D

Dining Dollars
Funds specifically allocated for use at university-run dining halls and select vendors.
District
District House, a major residence hall that also houses several basement dining options.
District
The food court area located in the lower level of District House.
District Dining
The food court area in the basement of District House featuring various retail concepts.

F

Foggy
The Foggy Bottom Campus, GW's main urban campus in downtown D.C.
FSK
Francis Scott Key Hall, a residence hall located on 20th Street.
FSS
First-Year Service Scholars, a program focused on community service and civic engagement.

G

Guthridge
Guthridge Hall, an upperclassman residence hall located on F Street.
GWOC
The George Washington Outing Club, a student group for outdoor enthusiasts.
GWorld
The student ID card, used for building access, dining, and as a debit card at local vendors.
GWorld
The student ID card system used as a debit card for both on-campus and off-campus dining partners.
GWTV
The student-run television station providing campus news and entertainment.

I

Ivory
Shenkman Hall, frequently referred to by its former name, Ivory Tower.

J

JBKO
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Hall, an upperclassman apartment-style dorm.

K

Kogan
Kogan Plaza, the central outdoor gathering space between Gelman Library and Lisner Auditorium.

M

Meal Deals
Fixed-price meal options available at specific campus dining partners for students on a meal plan.
MSSC
Multicultural Student Services Center, which supports underrepresented student populations.

P

PB
Program Board, the student-led organization that plans major events like Fall Fest and Spring Thing.
Pelham
Pelham Commons, the primary dining hall located on the Mount Vernon campus.
Potomac
Potomac House, a freshman residence hall located on F Street.

R

Raise High
The university's official fight song title and common rallying cry/motto.
Rev
Short for 'Revolutionaries,' the university's official mascot and moniker.
Revos
Short for Revolutionaries, the university's official moniker adopted in 2023.
Revvies
A nickname for the 'Revolutionaries,' the university's official moniker adopted in 2023.
RHA
Residence Hall Association, the representative body for students living in campus housing.

S

SA
Student Association, the primary student government body at GW.
Shenkman
Shenkman Hall, formerly known as Ivory Tower, a popular upperclassman dorm with a food court.
Shenkman
The dining hall located in Shenkman Hall (formerly Ivory Tower).
South
South Hall, an upperclassman residence hall known for being one of the most modern on campus.

T

The Bubble
The phenomenon where students rarely leave the immediate blocks of the Foggy Bottom campus.
The Buff & Blue
The main dining hall located within the University Student Center.
The District
The dining area located in the basement of District House, featuring various food stalls.
The Eatery
The all-you-care-to-eat dining hall located in the basement of Thurston Hall.
The Hatchet
The GW Hatchet, the university's independent student-run newspaper.
The Hatchet
The GW Hatchet, the university's independent, student-run newspaper.
The Hippo
The unofficial mascot of GW, referring to the bronze hippopotamus statue on H Street.
The Quad
The grassy area between Gelman Library and the University Student Center, a popular hangout spot.
The USC
Dining options located within the University Student Center, including the main food court.
The Vern
The Mount Vernon Campus, GW's secondary campus located in the Foxhall neighborhood.
The Vern
A collective term for any residence hall located on the Mount Vernon Campus.
The Vern
The dining hall and facilities located on the Mount Vernon campus.
The Vex
The Mount Vernon Express, the shuttle bus that transports students between the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses.
The Yard
University Yard, the central open green space on the Foggy Bottom campus used for events and lounging.
The Zoo
Thurston Hall, historically known for its high density and social reputation.
Thurston
Thurston Hall, the largest freshman residence hall known for its social scene.
Thurston
The all-you-care-to-eat dining hall located on the lower level of Thurston Hall.
TRAiL
GW Trail, the student organization dedicated to outdoor excursions and hiking.
TRAiLS
The outdoor adventure program that organizes hiking, kayaking, and camping trips for students.

V

Vernie
A student who lives on the Mount Vernon campus, often used to describe the freshman experience there.

W

West Hall
The primary large-scale residence hall on the Mount Vernon Campus.
Western
Western Market, a food hall on Pennsylvania Ave where students frequently use GWorld credits.
Western Market
A popular food hall near campus where students frequently use GWorld credits.
Whole Foods
The grocery store on I Street where students frequently use GWorld funds for groceries and hot bar meals.
WRGW
The student-run radio station broadcasting from the University Student Center.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

32 details
4-Ride
The university's late-night shuttle service providing safe transportation around the Foggy Bottom campus.
Banweb
The online portal used by students to register for classes, check grades, and access financial aid info.
Buff and Blue
The official school colors, often used to refer to school spirit or university identity.
buff_brew
Buff & Brew
DegreeMap
The web-based tool used by students and advisors to track progress toward graduation requirements.
district_house
District House
Duquès
Duquès Hall, the primary building for the GW School of Business.
FixIt
The online maintenance request system used by students to report issues in residence halls.
Foggy Bottom-GWU
The Blue, Orange, and Silver line Metro station located directly on the Foggy Bottom campus.
Funger
Funger Hall, a major classroom building used for many introductory undergraduate courses.
Gelman
Gelman Library, the main university library located on H Street.
GET App
The mobile application used to manage GWorld balances and upload ID photos.
GWorld
The physical student ID card required for building access, laundry, and using meal plan funds.
GWorld Card
The physical ID card required for building access, laundry, and printing services.
Handshake
The online portal used by students to find on-campus jobs, internships, and career resources.
Lisner
Lisner Auditorium, the university's large performance venue.
MPA
The Media and Public Affairs building, housing the School of Media and Public Affairs.
pelham_commons
Pelham Commons
SafeRide
The mobile app-based service used to request 4-RIDE transportation during late-night hours.
SEH
Science and Engineering Hall, a major research and classroom facility on 22nd Street.
shenkman_dining_hall
Shenkman Dining Hall
shenkman_hall_dining_hall
Shenkman Hall Dining Hall
Smith Center
The Charles E. Smith Center, the university's main athletic arena and gym.
Tap
The act of using a GWorld card on a proximity reader to gain access to buildings or elevators.
Tap Access
The requirement to tap a GWorld card on a reader to enter any campus building or residence hall.
The Smith Center
The Charles E. Smith Center, the university's main arena for basketball and athletics.
The USC
University Student Center, the hub for student life (formerly known as the Marvin Center).
The Vex
The Mount Vernon Express, a shuttle bus that runs 24/7 between the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses.
thurston_dining_hall
Thurston Dining Hall
thurston_hall_dining_hall
Thurston Hall Dining Hall
U-Pass
A program providing students with unlimited rides on the Metrorail and Metrobus for a flat fee per semester.
USC
University Student Center, the hub for student organizations, dining, and administrative offices.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Summer 2026 Full-term Session I runs May 18, 2026 – Aug 15, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
57 approved campus terms and 32 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · The George Washington University

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What we’ll email you about

  • Jun 7

    First-Year Housing Application Deadline

    Required · source

  • Jun 23

    Freshman Course Registration Opens

    Required · source

  • Aug 1

    Health Insurance Waiver Deadline

    Required · source

  • Aug 1

    Mandatory Immunization Records Due

    Required · source

One email per real deadline. Source link cited every time. We re-check 7 days before each one fires.

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Find a few communities to try at The George Washington University

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

60 mapped items from 19 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

Beta Theta Pi

A chapter of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, a member of the Interfraternity Council (IFC).

Invite only

Source: gwu.beta.org · Verified 10 days ago

Learn More

Books and Beyond

Aims to improve literacy rates in the DC area by providing tutoring services to elementary school students.

Chi Omega

A chapter of the Chi Omega women's fraternity, a member of the Panhellenic Association (PHA).

Invite only

Source: gwuchiomega.com · Verified 10 days ago

Learn More

GW Campus Activities Board (CAB)

A student-run organization that plans and promotes a wide variety of social, recreational, and educational events for the GW community.

GW Climbing Team

A co-ed team for climbers of all skill levels to train and compete in USA Climbing's collegiate series.

Open to all

Source: public campus page · Verified 10 days ago

Learn More

GW Club Baseball

Competes in the National Club Baseball Association (NCBA) against other universities in the region.

Tryout required

GW Cyber

Focuses on educating the GW student body about the security of the entire systems stack – from computer hardware, to networks, to software.

Open to all

GW Emergency Medical Response Group (EMeRG)

A student-run, all-volunteer emergency medical service that provides free, 24/7 emergency medical care to the GW community.

Regular commitment

Easy to try first

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

The GW student chapter of the world's largest educational and scientific computing society. Hosts workshops, hackathons, and career panels.

Drop in any time

Circle K International at GW

A community service organization dedicated to leadership, fellowship, and service. Part of the international Kiwanis family.

Drop in any time

Campus rituals

First Night

A large celebration after move-in to welcome all students to campus and kick off the new academic year with activities, food, and a movie on University Yard.

Drop in any time

Using DormWay at The George Washington University

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Life in Washington for The George Washington University Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Washington.

Timezone

Eastern Time (ET)

Median Rent

$1,900

Cost of Living Index

152

Student Population

90,000

City Transportation

Walkability

77

Bikeability

69

Public Transit

Washington Metro (Metrorail), Metrobus, DC Circulator, Streetcar

Nearest Airports

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid subtropical

Avg Annual Temp

58°F

Avg Snowfall

13 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Science and Engineering Hall Garage

garage • High

Open 24/7; access via H Street.

University Student Center Garage

garage • Medium

Open 6 a.m. - Midnight; access via H Street.

G Street Garage

garage • High

Open 24/7; access via 20th or 21st Street.

Mount Vernon Campus Parking

surface_lot • High

Weekend parking is free.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at The George Washington University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

59 known dorm and housing options. The first 24 are shown below; the rest are available in the expandable list.

1959 E Street

Capacity: 70

Room types: double, single

2100 Foxhall Road NW

2109 F Street

Capacity: 60

Room types: double, single

2115 F Street NW

2201 Virginia Avenue NW

2222 I Street NW

2350 H Street NW

514 19th St NW

600 20th Street NW

616 23rd Street NW

736 22nd Street NW

Amsterdam Hall

Capacity: 450

Room types: double, single

Building JJ

Room types: townhouse

Clark Hall

Capacity: 40

Room types: double

Cole Hall

Capacity: 40

Room types: double

District House

Capacity: 150

Room types: double, single, studio

Eckles Library (Somers/Hillsides)

FSK Hall

Capacity: 180

Room types: double

Fulbright Hall

Capacity: 260

Room types: double

Furnished Apartments at 2109 F Street

Room types: apartment-style

Guthridge Hall

Capacity: 220

Room types: double, triple, quad

GW residence halls

Room types: single, double, triple, quad, studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom

Harrison Hall

Room types: double, single

Hensley Hall

Capacity: 40

Room types: double

Show the remaining 35 housing options

Hoffman Hall

Capacity: 250

Room types: suite

Hollinger

Room types: studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom

Hughes Hall

Room types: double, single

Hurst Hall

Capacity: 300

Room types: single, double

International House

Capacity: 100

Room types: double, single

JBKO Hall

Capacity: 290

Room types: double

Jenkins Hall

Room types: double, single

Lafayette Hall

Capacity: 75

Room types: double

Madison Hall

Capacity: 192

Room types: double, quad, sextuple

Merriweather Hall

Capacity: 40

Room types: double

Mitchell Hall

Capacity: 380

Room types: double, triple

Mount Vernon - Clark Hall

Capacity: 23

Room types: double

Mount Vernon - Cole Hall

Capacity: 45

Room types: double

Mount Vernon - Hensley Hall

Capacity: 37

Room types: double

Mount Vernon - Merriweather Hall

Capacity: 48

Room types: double

Mount Vernon - Somers Hall

Capacity: 249

Room types: double

Munson Hall

Capacity: 270

Room types: double

Not specified in search results

Pelham Entrance (West Hall)

Phillip Amsterdam Hall

Potomac House

Capacity: 120

Room types: double, single

Potomac Square

Schenley Hall

Room types: single, double

Shaw Hall

Room types: single, double

Shenkman Hall

Capacity: 280

Room types: double

Small Townhouses

Room types: varies

Somers Hall

Capacity: 250

Room types: double

South Hall

Capacity: 320

Room types: double

Square 80

Stockton Hall

Capacity: 350

Room types: single, double

Strong Hall

Capacity: 300

Room types: double

The Dakota

Capacity: 80

Room types: double, single

Thurston Hall

Capacity: 779

Room types: double, single

Townhouse Row

Capacity: 90

Room types: double, single

West Hall

Capacity: 200

Room types: quad

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Private Non-Profit

Email Domain

@thegeorgewashingtonu.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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